Ligier JS P217 Unveiled

Photo: Vision Sport Agency

The first 2017-spec LMP2 car has been revealed, with Onroak Automotive having taken the wraps of its Ligier JS P217 Friday at Spa-Francorchamps, ahead of this weekend’s European Le Mans Series race.

The French prototype will compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship, European Le Mans Series and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship next year, with a number of already confirmed teams.

It is one of four new-generation prototypes developed to the FIA and ACO’s new cost-controlled formula, which sees a spec 4.2-liter Gibson V8 engine for all cars in the WEC and ELMS, and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The JS P217 turned its first laps earlier this week at Magny-Cours and is expected to continue an extensive testing and development program in the lead up to its competition debut at the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January.

Olivier Pla, Pipo Derani and Julien Canal have been designated as the development drivers for the project.

“After several months of intensive work by all our teams in the utmost secrecy, it’s a great thrill today to unveil our new LMP2 in which we have invested all our passion and our professionalism,” said Onroak Automotive President Jacques Nicolet.

“After the Ligier JS P2 and the Ligier JS P3 in 2014 and 2015 we’re very proud to present the Ligier JS P217. It retains the initials “JS”, the historic homage to Jo Schlesser by Guy Ligier who is very much in my thoughts today.”

Onroak Le Mans site director Sebastien Metz added: “We’re very satisfied with the first shakedowns on the Magny-Cours circuit, and we’re going to continue working in the coming weeks to give the teams full satisfaction.”

A total of six cars have already been sold, including two Nissan-powered DPi models for Tequila Patron ESM in the WeatherTech Championship.

LMP2 cars from Dallara, ORECA and Multimatic-Riley are expected to be revealed over the next month.

Photo: Vision Sport Agency

Photo: Onroak Automotive

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John